UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) identifies, lists and preserves many highly valued sites of humanity’s shared natural and cultural heritage. In certain circumstances, sites included on UNESCO’s Word Heritage list are entitled to support from the World Heritage Fund.

The World Heritage programme was launched by UNESCO in 1972, and since that time 1001 sites have been accredited. Nearly half of these are located in Europe and North America. France alone boasts 39 sites, which are listed here by theme:

The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes (the château of Anger, the Abbey of Fontevraud, the château of Langeais, the château of Clos Lucé, the château and stables of Chaumont sur Loire, and others, 2000)

A group of twelve sites devoted to the Fortifications of Vauban (Lille, Briançon, the Musée Vauban, and elsewhere, 2008)